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Often used for special occasions and weddings, airbrush makeup can give skin a stunningly luminous effect—almost like walking around with a filter on IRL.
“The difference between airbrush and regular foundation is in the application,” he says Annabelle LaGuardiaa professional makeup artist based in New York City. “With airbrush, you work with an applicator gun, which is a compressor with air, that delivers a very even stream of makeup,” for a level of control you can’t achieve with manual applicationmeaning you can layer on as much, or as little, as you’d like.
Makeup pros love this technique, but there are also at-home kits to achieve the look yourself. To find the best airbrush makeup, our editors reviewed dozens of products on the market and enlisted top makeup pros to share their recommendations and expert tips, including explaining the difference between airbrush and traditional foundation.
Professional Airbrush Cosmetic Makeup System
Beloved by makeup pros, the Art of Air system comes with everything you need to try professional-quality airbrush makeup for the first time: an airbrush and compression system, six different foundations, makeup for contouringand even a cleanser once ready to remove.
It’s garnered more than 3,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with one person writing: “Though reluctant to use it, I gave it a try and found I loved the way it made my skin feel. No heavy liquid makeup mask, just a thin, moist spray of color.” If you have a dry complexion, take note: This formula can be drying on the skin.
Art of Air
MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation
For budget-friendly airbrush makeup that’s almost effortless to usethe $20 Jerome Alexander airbrush foundation delivers. One user described the singular foundation as “flawless,” adding: “(It) stayed on through an 8-hour shift and beyond. It’s extremely easy to use and blend.”
Spray the foundation onto the included brush from a couple of inches away. Then, apply in circular motions and voila! Oily skin types may find the mattifying finish more flattering than those with dry skin.
Jerome Alexander
Silk Airbrush Foundation Makeup Kit
For a no-frills option, Luminess’s kit gives beginners the airbrush basics. The starter set includes a primer, a foundation spray, and a dual-ended buffing brush. It boasts a silky, satin finish and hydrates upon application thanks to skincare ingredients like moisturizing hyaluronic acid.
“I love how easy and simple this foundation is,” one online reviewer wrote. “It’s not cakey or thick. (It) goes on smooth. I love the primer spray—so hydrating. I don’t feel like I have foundation on at all.” A few shoppers liked their color matches but had to choose wisely from its 18 shades.
Luminess
MagicMinerals Deluxe AirBrush Foundation Set
Those hoping to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles should look no further than Jerome Alexander. Its trio system includes a primer for smoother application, a mineral powder-based foundation, and a lightweight setting spray.
The two included kabuki brushes help blend it all for a seamless skin-like finish. “It doesn’t get in the grooves of my wrinkles, and it literally makes my fine lines a lot less noticeable,” one 60-year-old reviewer remarked. “It also makes skin look dewy and glowy.” Proceed with caution if you are sensitive to scent; a few reviewers commented that it has a strong fragrance.
MagicMinerals
Professional Beauty Airbrush Cosmetic Makeup System
The Belloccio airbrush system has some reviewers so impressed with their results that they’re ditching theirs concealerwhich is why it’s a great go-to option for everyday use. “I decided to try this because I’ve noticed I’ve had problems hiding dark circles and settling makeup in the eye area,” a reviewer commented.
“I’ve been able to wear just the Belloccio foundation instead of two types of concealer plus foundation. I’m still amazed!” As with any system, test it before you start applying; a few reviewers had trouble with the compressor.
Belloccio
Air Cordless Professional Airbrush Makeup System
While this Temptu airbrush foundation starter kit does come with a hefty price tag, it is loved by many who say it’s well worth the splurge, including GH’s experts. It also boasts a large shade range.
“I thought it was super easy to use and I love the versatility—it offers foundation, blush, highlighter, and more,” says GH’s contributing beauty editor. “It was also surprisingly lightweight. I didn’t feel like I was wearing heavy, caked-on makeup and it had a natural, glowy finish.“
Tempted
Airbrush Starter Kit
Touting a non-greasy finish, the Aeroblend airbrush makeup kit lasts all day without exacerbating oiliness and breakouts. Using it almost daily, one online reviewer wrote: “I love the water-based makeup, and it lasts all day. I have oily skin, and this does not melt off my face.
“It also includes multiple shades so that you can customize your perfect mix. Just an FYI, this system was reported to have occasional issues with the compressor getting clogged.
Aeroblend
Airbrush Legs
Airbrush makeup isn’t just for your face; this Sally Hansen spray formula created for legs can be used for coverage all over your body. Applying airbrush makeup to exposed skin, like legs and arms, can help camouflage any problem spots and create an all-over even, glowing skin tone.
“I fell asleep with it on, woke up, and none of it had rubbed onto my white sheets. The makeup was still perfectly intact,” one reviewer marveled. “A plus because you can wear it to the beach and sweat without it coming off.” Just be sure to let it fully dry before getting dressed to prevent staining on clothing. The non-greasy formula only comes in two shades.
How we choose the best airbrush makeup
Our beauty editors researched top-rated products on the market and relied on our decades of beauty product expertise to create this list. We used our own experience testing airbrush makeup, as well as professional makeup artists’ recommendations and consumer feedback on retailer sites to put together this list.
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What to look for when shopping for the best airbrush makeup
The only real difference between airbrush makeup and other foundations is the way in which it is applied. “You want to pick a foundation based on your skin type, a rule that applies to airbrush makeup too,” he explains Joette Balsamoa makeup artist in New York City. Here are some additional guidelines to know:
✔️ Radiant finishes may be better. Airbrush foundation formulas are typically drier than traditional ones, as they must be pushed through the compressor. (The more hydrating the foundation, the more likely it will get stuck in the apparatus.) For this reason, Balsamo recommends choosing “luminous” airbrush foundation finishes, which are less likely to accentuate dryness and wrinkles.
✔️ Go for a full kit. Airbrush makeup compressors and foundations are sometimes sold separately, but pros say the best foundation for airbrush makeup is the one that comes with the set. “I think it’s always better to go with the foundation that comes with the technology because they’ve been created to function together,” Balsamo advises, so there’s less likelihood of error in use.
✔️ Finish with a face mist. Whichever airbrush makeup you choose, top off your look with a spritz of facial mist. “To make the look more supple, spray a hydrating rosewater or glycerin mist all over to bring some moisture into the makeup, so it looks more like skin,” she advises.
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Is airbrush makeup really better than foundation?
“The choice between airbrush makeup and traditional foundation depends on personal preference, skin type, and the occasion—one isn’t necessarily better than the other,” Jaikaran says. “Airbrush makeup is often preferred for special events, like weddings or other events that you need makeup to last a long time and photograph well.“
Jaikaran has used both types of makeup in different circumstances and believes you can achieve a similar flawless finish using either. While proper skin prep is important no matter what you use, she emphasizes the importance of skincare before applying traditional foundation to achieve the most seamless look.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Marielle Marlys wrote the original article, interviewed experts, and selected the product picks. She is a freelance writer who specializes in covering the beauty market, including frequently writing about makeup products.
Dory Price updated this article by adding one new pick and additional info about existing picks, plus more tips about airbrush makeup. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing makeup stories.
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